Origins & Early Life

Herman Hollerith (February 29, 1860 – November 17, 1929) was a German-American statistician, inventor, and businessman who developed an electromechanical tabulating machine for punched cards to assist in summarizing information and, later, in accounting. His invention of the punched card tabulating machine, patented in 1884, marks the beginning of the era of mechanized binary code and semiautomatic data processing systems, and his concept dominated that landscape for nearly a century. Hollerith founded a company that was amalgamated in 1911 with several other companies to form the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company. In 1924, the company was renamed "International Business Machines" (IBM) and became one of the largest and most successful companies of the 20th century.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Hollerith is regarded as one of the seminal figures in the development of data processing. Herman Hollerith was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1860, where he also spent his early childhood. His parents were German immigrants; his father, Forty-eighter Georg Hollerith, was a school teacher and Lutheran minister from Großfischlingen, Rhineland-Palatinate. He entered the City College of New York in 1875...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aleksey Khomyakov — Contemporary (Died in 1860) (1860): Founding theoretician of the Slavophile movement in Russian philosophy.
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• Anton Chekhov — Contemporary (Born in 1860) (1860): Master of Russian literature, celebrated for poignant realism and subtle drama.
• Al Davis — Contemporary (Born in 1929) (1929): Pioneering NFL executive and coach, known for building the legendary Oakland Raiders.
• Alasdair MacIntyre — Contemporary (Born in 1929) (1929): Influential Scottish-American philosopher known for virtue ethics and political theory.
• Aletta Jacobs — Contemporary (Died in 1929) (1929): Pioneering Dutch physician and feminist, advocating for women's rights and reproductive health.
• Aileen Wuornos — Shared historical date (02-29 · Born) (1956): American serial killer known for murdering seven male clients in Florida.
• Augusta Savage — Shared historical date (02-29 · Born) (1892): Pioneering sculptor and influential teacher of the Harlem Renaissance.
• Abba Eban — Shared historical date (11-17 · Died) (2002): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Auguste Rodin — Shared historical date (11-17 · Died) (1917): Founder of modern sculpture, celebrated for naturalism and emotional depth.
• 1860 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1860
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• 1929 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1929
• November 17 (11-17) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 17